Question:
My daughter is 16 years old and weights over 240 lbs and wants to have WLS surgery.
My daughter is 16 years old and wants to have WLS (LAP RNY). She have been very overweight all her life and is currently at 240 lbs. We live in Houston. 1) My insurance says patient has to be at least 18 or have documentation of completion of bone growth. How can I get that? 2) Do you know any good surgions in Houston that will operate WLS on mature minded 16 year old? She has studied this a while and is serious about having this procedure if we can manage it. — r A. (posted on November 11, 2002)
November 11, 2002
Forgive me if I sound Harsh. If I was you I would have your daughter try
other options, at 16 I don't think she is mentally ready for a surgery like
this one. This is my opinion only. It Is a very big change in an adults
life, so a 16 yr old I would think twice
— Schatzie1
November 11, 2002
If she is a "normal" 16 yr old, God bless her. She is ready and
so very lucky to get the opportunity at this young age to change her life
for the better, Bottom line, if you have more than 100# to lose, no matter
how old you are, Surgery is the only documented method of wt loss that
works over the long run.. God luck to you and her. Can't help you with
docs in Houston but I am sure someone will.
— Dana S.
November 11, 2002
Okay, first things first, my sister is sixteen. She also wants to have
WLS, but only because she has seen what my mom and I have went through.
Are you sure your daughter is mentally ready for this life-altering
decision? My sister is one of the most responsible teenagers I know...but
she will tell you that she doesn't want to do this until she is out of
school. I live in the Houston area. To my knowledge there are no lap docs
who will consider a patient under the age of 18. About checking the bone
thing, any osteo or orthopedic doctor can check for bone growth, or
completion of. Make sure that before you let her make this decision, she
has a chance to live her life. The mental changes that you go through are
amazing. I'm not trying to be a downer, it is just that I understand that
this is THE MOST effective way to lose weight. And she may want to do it
as early as possible so that she can 'live a normal life'. But her friends
in high school as well as college will never understand her eating habits.
She will be under scrutiny until she is an adult, and then she will be
under a different kind of scrutiny. The Houston Chronicle ran an article
on WLS for children on NOV. 4. You can go to houstonchronicle.com then go
to articles and in the search box put 'gastric bypass'. That should pull
it up for you. Good luck in ya'll's journey. Ann
— Ann H.
November 12, 2002
Unfortunately I can't answer your questions, but I wanted to say that I
think its great that your daughter wants to do something now. I am 20
years old and was about the same weight as your daughter, maybe a little
heavier, at the age of 16. I didn't know about the surgery until this year
(I'm now 20). If I could have done it at 16 I would have. I would check
with your daughter's pcp and then GO FOR IT! I was 396lbs on 9-23-02 at 20
years old when I had my RNY. I am 7 weeks out and down 45.5lbs...2lbs away
from my first goal. Good luck to both you and your daughter. If you have
any questions or need anything please email me. [email protected]
— Rebekah A.
November 14, 2002
i totally disagree with the person at the bottom. im sure you are the only
one that knows your daughter and her maturity. and, i also recall at the
age of 16, i had spent the previous 8 years on different diets. the
weight problem doesnt just appear when we become adults. it is a horrible
disease and why should your daghter punish herself any longer when she
knows there is no place to go but up weight wise. if she can take care of
it now, more power to her. she shouldnt have to suffer for another two
years. there was just a teenage boy on oprah i think he was 15 who had the
surgery. im not sure where he was from. try checking oprahs site.
— christina K.
November 14, 2002
An orthopedic doctor can xray the growth plates and tell if she is done
growing. My 16 year old son had it done last year when he was diagnosed
with Oshgood Slaughters disease. I think its great that she is interested
in making such a life change however I would suggest a consult with a
therapist to make sure she is truly ready and willing to take such a huge
step. Honestly this is the best thing I have every done for myself at the
age of 42. I truly regret not taking control of my weight and life years
ago.
— cindy O.
August 3, 2003
Make sure you gp tp a center that has performed bariatric surgeon on
adolescent patients. They require significant psychosocial support. There
are only a few centers that have an adolescent program.
Dr. Ramsey Dallal
Bariatric Surgeon
Newport Beach, Ca
— Ramsey D.
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